About

Serving young people through debate

Each year the National Speech and Debate Association chooses a policy topic that debaters affirm (propose a policy to solve a problem) as well as negate (show why that policy won’t solve the problem, will make things worse, or will cause other problems if enacted).

During the 2017 – 2018 school year, the topic is: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States.

Students must research, analyze, and defend different policy options, and in the process increase their critical thinking, reading comprehension and public speaking skills. Students compete against other schools throughout the region at weekend debate tournaments held during the school year.